X-T2 AF-C Custom Setting

X-T2 will be finally in-stores. Perhaps, some of you have already have it in your hands.

When you have your X-T2 in your own hands, it will surely feel different from just trying it at the exhibition or in showroom. You'd attach your own strap or a soft shutter release button to have YOUR unique X-T2.

This is not just about the exterior. You are going to spend some time customizing the internal setting as well. Based on your experience, you will be spending time adjusting the Q menu and assigning film simulation modes and so on. But when it comes to the newly added AF-C Custom setting, you may have not had enough time to play around with it. Today, we would like to talk about the AF-C Custom setting so you can have your X-T2 optimized for you.

You can certainly select from one of the 5 presets that are readily available. But if you are a reader of the X Stories, we would like you to try assign your own "SET 6 CUSTOM".

To do this, we will break down what each parameter means, how much of adjustment could be made, and how different they are from other X Series cameras.

First is Tracking Sensitivity. It adjusts the time that AF system continues to predict the subject movement. If you have it at "0". There is no AF prediction. If you have it at "4", then it will continue to predict for 1.3 sec based on the information that the camera gathered up to that point. "1", "2", and "3" predict for 0.4 sec, 0.7 sec, and 1.0 sec respectively.

In sports photography, obstacles often come in and out of the frame. This setting allows you to adjust, so that you will not to get bothered by such obstacles. If you are tracking a soccer player playing against another player, your best bet is to set it at "3" or "4". But for such sports as skiing and skateboarding, it is less likely that any obstacle would come into the frame. So the camera would be better off set at "0" to continue tracking in linear motion.

In case of X-Pro2 and other X Series cameras, the AF-C setting is equivalent to "2" (0.7 sec).

Next is Speed Tracking Sensitivity.Prior to X-T2, the X Series cameras assumed that the subject moved at a constant speed in order to predict the motion. This assumption was OK if the subject were a train or a track and field athlete. But in case of motor sport, the cars accelerates and decelerates. There are also the curves and corners, where the subject not only decelerate, but the change of distance to the subject is no longer constant. It means that the change in AF points cannot be at constant speed, either.

To overcome the problem, the new parameter assumes the speed is not constant in order to predict the movements. The setting lets you adjust whether the subject movement (change in AF position) is steady or accelerating / decelerating. But keep in mind that this is just a prediction based on the algorithm. It is up to the photographer to have maximized performance of X-T2.

Having said that, whether you have it at "STEADY" or "ACCEL./DECEL.", the camera has higher accuracy in the AF prediction. AF search is conducted more often with the new algorithm. Every 0.01 sec, the AF searches for the position of the subject. Even if you do not have the desired selection, FUJIFILM assures you that you will have the improved experience.

Lastly, Zone Area Switching.It is a normal practice for a photographer to try to keep the subject within the ZONE area when you have the AF mode set to "ZONE". If you can have your camera adjusted, so that the camera has information on your way of photography and subject movement, then the experience will certainly be better.

"CENTER" means that AF prioritizes the center of the Zone area. Keep in mind, this is not center of the frame, but of the Zone area. So if you have adjusted the AF position with the focus lever, then the preference will also be shifted. "FRONT" prioritizes on the closest subject within the Zone area.

Of course, if there were no subject at center or in the front, then the AF search will be conducted to find the subject. "AUTO" basically has no preferences, and it searches in all area.

X-Pro2 and other X Series cameras do not allow to adjust the setting, but you can assume that they have the same algorithm as "AUTO".

We hope you will find the breakdown of the 3 parameters helpful not only to have your custom setting, but also to have better understanding of the preset 1 to 5.

It is not such a bad idea to have your own setting based on the presets.